From the earliest period to the present time. Compiled from
authentic documents and oral testimony by S.C. Stevens.

Published by Samuel C. Stevens 1833.

Historical and Statistical Account of Dover, N. H.

SITUATION & c.óDover is the second town in the State, both in point
of wealth and the number of its inhabitants. It is situated in the S.E.
extremity of the county of Strafford, 12 miles from N.W. from Portsmouth, 40 E.
from Concord, and 60 N. from Boston, in Lat. 43 12m. It has Somersworth on the
N.E., Eliot , in Maine, on the E,. from which it is separated by the eastern
branch of the Pascataqua River, Madbury on the S.W., a corner of Barrington on
the W., and Rochester on the N.W. Its principal streams are the Cochecho, which
has its source in New Durham, and the Belamy-Bank, more commonly called by the
inhabitants Back river, which rises in Barrington. They take a S.E.
course through the town and unite with other waters to form the Pascataqua.
Between these two rivers, in the south part of the town is a neck of land, about
four miles long, and from half a mile to one mile broad, along which till 40
years, lay the principal road leading from this town to Portsmouth. This is
called "Dover Neck", and running to a point at the South, at the
junction of the two branches of the Pascataqua, it is called "Dover
Point," but in ancient times, "Hiltonís Point". This is six
miles from the Factories at the Village; and should our General court ever in
their wisdom consider what would be of public utility, and incorporate a company
for the purpose of running a horse-boat, or for building a bridge over the
Pascataqua at or near this Point, about two miles would be saved in distance
from the Village to Portsmouth. There are no mountains nor very high hills in
this town, but there are several gentle swells of lands, from the height of
which, the eye meets some delightful prospects of bays, adjacent shores and
distant mountains.

History. New Hampshire was first discovered in 1614, by Capt. John Smith,
who is so distinguished in the History of Virg. The first settlement of Dover,
and indeed of the state, was made in the Spring of 1623, by Edward and Wm.
Hilton, in the neck of land before named. They were sent over by "The
Company of Laconia" who designed to plant a colony, and establish a Fishery
around the Pascataqua; for which purpose they chose a fine, dry and healthy
situation, commanding a view of all the neighboring shores, and affording an
extensive and delightful prospect; but the settlement for the first eight years
went on very slow, for in 1631 there were but three houses in all, adjoining the
Pascataqua. In 1633, a considerable number of families in the west of England,
some of whom were of good estates, and of some account for religion, came over
and increased the colony. As it was their intention to build a compact town,
they took up small lots, which were granted to them by Capt. Wiggans, the agent
for the proprietors. On the most inviting part of the above ground, which is one
mile and a half from "Dover Point," and on land now occupied by Aaron
Roberts, on the west side of the present road, and about eighty rods north of
the house of Thomas Henderson, Esq. They built a Meeting House, which was
afterward surrounded by an entrenchment and flankarts, traces of which are still
quite visible at the present day. On the east side of the same road, and but a
few rods from the Meeting House, they also built a jail; this was on land now
owned by said Henderson. The Indian name of the place was Wecohamet [Vide
Church Records of the First Parish, In Dover, in the handwriting of Dr. Belknap.
In some printed works it is Winnichahannat, in others Winichahanat], but after
the arrival of Thomas Larkham, in 1640, it received the name Northam, probably
to gratify him as he had been a preacher at a place of that name in England;
afterwards the name of Dover was given to the whole township. At this Meeting
House the inhabitants of Dover, which also included at that time the present
towns of Durham, Madbury, Lee and Somersworth, assembled for public worship and
the transaction of town business. [Durham was first made a Parish by the name of
Oyster River, it was incorporated as a town May 13, 1738; Madbury was
incorporated May 31, 1755; Lee taken from Durham January 16, 1766; Somersworth,
a Parish December 19, 1729, and a town April 22, 1754.] Dover is therefore the
oldest town in the state, having been settled only three years after the landing
of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, Mass. and nine years after the discovery of New
Hampshire, by Captain Smith. [Portsmouth was settled about the same time, at a
place called Little Harbour by David Thompson, who came over with the Hiltons.]
Here was formed the first church in the state, it having been organized in
1638-or, 195 years ago, and only 15 years after the first settlement of the
town.

In process of time, business as well as the population began to centre around
the Cochecho Falls, four and a half miles north, where the Factories and the
Village are now situated; at which place Maj. Richard Waldron, who settled here
in 1635, had erected Saw and Grist Mills. The name of this settlement and the
territory for a few miles around, was Cochecho, after the name of the Falls and
River, but it was pronounced and spelt in those days "Kecheachy" which
doubtless came near to the pronunciation of the Indians. About 17 years after
the first settlement on Dover Neck, and but a few years after the first
settlement at Cochecho, "the inhabitants of Dover having suffered much from
great irregularities in the civil as well as lack of knowledge in ecclesiastical
affairs," by a writing dated October 22, 1640, and signed by 41 persons,
(among whom was T. Larkham, R. Waldron, and Wm. Waldron,) became subject to the
laws of England; the next year they submitted, together with the other
settlements, to the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, and engaged "to be ruled
and ordered in all causes, criminal and civil, and to be subject to pay in
church and commonwealth as the inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay". In 1679,
New Hampshire was separated from Massachusetts, and became a separate
government; the people were to be represented in a body chosen by themselves,
and the King, by a President and Council; he retaining the prerogative of
disannulling the acts of the whole at his pleasure; but this separation was much
against the will of the people of New Hampshire. Dover at that time contained
but 61 qualified voters, the remainder of the Province, but 148. John Cutt, an
aged and respectable merchant of Portsmouth, was appointed the first President,
but he died March 27, 1681, after holding the office little more than a year,
and was succeeded by Maj. Richard Waldron of Dover who had been one of the
Council. Maj. W. came from Somersetshire in England, was one of the first
settlers of this Village, and the progenitor of a number of descendants. He had
represented this town 22 years in the General Court of Massachusetts-Bay,
commencing in 1654, and was their general speaker for seven years. He was
appointed Chief Justice of N.H. in 1683; was one of the principal men of Dover
and a brave and useful officer. He is the same person who was killed by Indians
in their attack on Dover, on the morning of June 28, 1689, of which we will give
a short account, and refer the reader to a more full and highly interesting
History of the same in Dr. Belknapís History of N.H. pages 75 and 125 of the
new edition printed in 1831, a work of which we should be proud (the author
having long resided in this town,) and which ought to be in the hands of every
family.

The inhabitants of Dover had for many years been exposed to the attacks of
the Indians, and had suffered much in loss of lives and property. Maj. W., who
had carried on a considerable trade with them for some years, had more influence
over them than any other man. On the 7th of September, 1676, he
proposed to about 400 Indians to have a sham fight with several companies of the
whites; in the course of which the white men made the whole of the Indians
prisoners before the latter were aware of their design. About 200 of them were
set at liberty; the remainder, who at times had been guilty of atrocities, or
had shown signs of hostility, were sent to Boston, where 7 0r 8 were put to
death, and the others sold into slavery in foreign parts. Some of them returned,
and they with others, regarding this act of Maj. Waldron, who had always
pretended to be their friend, as a breach of faith, swore against him implacable
revenge. In 1689, after a lapse of 13 years, and when all supposed it had been
forgotten, they determined to execute their project. Previous to the fatal night
(June 27,) some hints had been thrown out by the squaws, but in such ambiguous
terms that no one understood their meaning; for when some of the inhabitants
expressed their fear to Maj. W. he merrily bade them to "go and plant their
pumpkins and he would take care of the Indians". They sent two squaws to
each of the Garrison houses, which were five in number, to ask permission to
sleep by their fires overnight- which was readily granted them, at all such
houses except one. In the dead of nigh, the doors were unfasted and thrown open
by the squaws, and the concerted signal given, when in rushed great bodies of
Indians, who had concealed themselves about town for that purpose. Maj. Waldron,
who was the particular object of their revenge, although 80 years of age, made a
gallant defence; he drove them through several doors with his sword, but, was at
last stunned with a hatchet, and compelled to surrender. After they had finished
their supper, which they had compelled the women to get them, they placed him on
his long table, and cut him across his belly with knives, each one saying
"I cross out my account." At last, as he was falling down, one of them
held his own sword under him, which penetrated through his body, and put an end
to his sufferings. In this affair 23 persons were killed and 29 made captive.
They burnt 5 or 6 dwelling houses; together with the mills, and escaped without
being attacked by the English. They continued their depredations at various
times till 1723, during which time several of the inhabitants were killed, and
others taken and sold to the French in Canada.

Ecclesiastical. I have made considerable efforts to collect correct
Histories of the several Churches in this town; that of the First Parish, or
Congregationalist, was furnished by Asa Tufts, Esq. to whom I am also indebted
for many other facts. They are arranged according to the times they were
severally established.

I.The FIRST PARISH CHURCH IN DOVER, OR FIRST
CONGEGRATIONALIST SOCIETY.

[The facts relating to the early ministers of this Parish, were taken chiefly
from Dr. Belknapís Church Records. Some facts relative to them, and many
concerning later events have been procured from other authentic sources.]

"Those that first enterprized the design of a settlement at Dover
had some religious as well as civil views, and therefore sent over with
Capt. Wiggans, 1633, one Mr [WILLIAM] LEVERIDGE, an able and worthy
puritan minister, with a promise of considerable allowance for his
subsistece, but the encouragement proving too small for his maintenance,
he removed to the southward, toward Plymouth." He arrived in Salem in
the Ship James, October 10, 1633. He remained at Dover less than two
years; went to Boston, 1635; was at Sandwich, (Cape Cod) 1640, to 1652;
afterwards settled at Huntingdon, L. Island; remained there till 1670,
when he removed to Newtown, L.I. where he died.

To him succeeded Mr GEORGE BURDETT, " a person of better knowledge
and learning than other abilities fit for that sacred function." He
came from Yarmouth in England to Salem, Mass. In 1634, and to Dover about
1637. In 1638, he removed to a plantation of Sir F. Georges, in
Agamenticus, now York, Me. In 1640, he was at Saco, but soon left, and
"returned to England where he was committed to prison, which is the
last account we have of him.
Church was gathered about 1638.

In 1639, Mr. Hanserd Knollys was invited to be their minister. He came
from England in 1638. In consequence of difficulties with his successor,
Mr. Larkham, and others, he returned to England about 1641. He died in
London 19 Sept. 1691, aged 93.

In 1640, Mr. Thomas Larkham, a native of Lyme, in Dorsetshire, who had
been a minister at Northam, near Barnstable, England, came to Dover, and
"the people were much taken with his public preaching, he being of
good parts and well gifted; but not being able to maintain two ministers,
they resolved to cast off Mr. Knollys and embrace Mr. Larkham; whereupon
Mr Knollys, making a virtue of necessity; gave place."
"Mr Larkham suddenly departed from Dover, in
1641," and "returned to England, and was settled in the ministry
at Tavistock, in Devonshire, from whence he was ejected by the Uniformity
act, 1662. He died in 1669, aged 68 and had all the character, in his
latter days, of a man of great piety and sincerity."

"The people were thus left sometime without preaching but at last
in 1642, they obtained Mr DANIEL MAUD, whom they enjoyed many years for
their minister; he was a good man, of a serious spirit and a quiet and
peaceable disposition. He continued with them till his death." There
is an order in the town records, dated August 1, 1642, " for Mr Maud
and his wife to enjoy the house in which they then lived during their
lives, provided he continue as Teacher of Pastor, if it please God to call
him to it." His name is mentioned several times in the record till
1651, and his salary was then 50 pounds per annum.
Mr Maud came to this country as early as 1635,
and was admitted a freeman by the Mass. Colony, October 25, 1635. He
settled in Boston, and was a schoolmaster there several years. He died in
Dover, in 1655. He had a wife, who name was Mary, but left no children in
this country.
In 1648, "Richard Pinkome was ordered to
beat the drum for meeting on Lordís Days."

Rev. JOHN RAYNER, the successor of Mr Maud, was settled in Dover, in
1655, and died April 3, 1669. He "was a Minister in England, and
coming over hither was settled at Plymouth, [Mass.] about 1636, and
departed from thence in November, 1654." "He was a man of meek
and humble spirit, sound in the truth, and every way unreprovable in his
life and conversation, and was an able, faithful and laborious preacher of
the Gospel."
Mr. Rayner had a parsonage house and land given
him by the Town in 1659, and his salary from Dover and Oyster River to
gether in 1658, was 120 pounds.

Rev. JOHN RAYNER, Jr. the son of the preceding, was the first minister
of the Parish born in America; graduated at Har. College, 1663; was some
time assistant to his father, and was ordained July 12th, 1671.
January 24th, 1672, he sold to Job Clements, Senior, of Dover,
for 102 pounds 10s. the house and land which had been given his father, by
the Town, and left him by Will. The original deed, which I now
have before me, was drawn up by Mr Rayner, and subscribed by him in
the presence of John Tuttle and Jonathon Watson; and acknowledged by Maj.
Richard Waldron. The recording of it is certified by Elias Stileman,
Recorder, 5 June, 1673. Mr R. died at Braintree, probably while on a visit
there, December 21, 1676, aged about 34. Mr. Fitch, in his MSS. Mentions
him as "a successor to his father in the work of the ministry, and
says he had a double portion of his spirit."

The next minister was the Rev. JOHN PIKE, son of Hon. Robert Pike of
Salisbury, Mass. (who died Dec. 12, 1706, aged 90,) and was born 15th
May, 1653; graduated at Har. Coll. 1675; was ordained 31st
August, 1681. He was absent from Dover much of the time from June 1689 to
1703 or 4, but died in Dover, 10th March 1710, aged 57.
"He was esteemed an extraordinary preacher, and a man of true
godliness. He was a grace and venerable person, and generally preached
without notes."
"Friday the 28th June, 1689, was
the fatal day in the morning of which Major Richard Waldron was murdered
and the destruction of Cochecho perpatrated by the Indians of Pennycook
and Saco." This caused the absence of Mr Pike for some years.
Mr P. married, in 1681, Sarah, 2d daughter of
Rev. Joshua Moodey of Portsmouth.

The next minister was the Rev. NICHOLAS SEVER, who was a native of
Roxbury, Mass. and born in 1680; graduated Har. Coll. 1701; was ordained
at Dover, April 11, 1711; and in the spring of 1715, was dismissed
"on account if an impediment in his speech". The next year he
was appointed a Tutor of Har. College, and continued in that office twelve
years; was afterwards settled in Plymouth Co., Mass. where he was a Judge
of the Court of Com. Pleas, and died April 7, 1764, aged 84. "In his
time a meeting was held at Cocheco, [Pine-Hill,] and he preached there,
and at Dover Neck." His son, the Hon. Wm. Seaver, A.A.S. Judge of
Probate for Plymouth County, Mass. died in June 1809, aged 81.

Rev. JONATHAN CUSHING, the next minister, was the son of Peter Cushing
and was born at Hingham , Mass. in 1689, and descended from Mathew
Cushing, (who arrived in Boston, 10th Aug. 1638, and died
1660.) He was graduated at Har. Coll 1712, and ordained at Dover, 18th
September, 1717. "March 25th, 1769, the Rev. Jonathan
Cushing, senior Pastor of this church departed this life, in the 79th
year of his age, and 52nd of his ministry, having sustained the
character of a grave and sound preacher, a kind, peaceable, prudent and
judicious Pastor, a wise and faithful friend."
The house where Mr. Cushing lived, on Pine-Hill,
was standing in 1810; it stood about 6 rods N.W. of the well on the land
now owned by Wm. Osborne.

Rev. JEREMY BELKNAP, D. D. was the son of Joseph Belknap, and was born
in Boston, June 4th, 1744; graduated at Har. College 1762; was
ordained colleague with Rev. Mr Cushing February 18, 1767; was dismissed
September 11th, 1786; was installed pastor of Federal Street
Church in Boston, April 4, 1787; and died of a paralytic affection June
20, 1798. "His history of New Hampshire, which was written in Dover,
gained him a high reputation as a historian, and his subsequent
publications added to his fame. He was one of the most useful literary men
whom New England has produced. He was beloved in life, lamented in death,
and his praise is in all the country." His Father and Mother died and
were buried in Dover.
The house where Dr Belknap lived and wrote his
history now stands, and is the next house above Dr. Ezra Greenís on
Silver Street, and nearly opposite the new jail.

The next minister was Mr ROBERT GRAY, who was a native of Andover,
(south parish) Mass.; graduated at Har. Coll. In 1786; was ordained in
Dover, February 28, 1787. His connexion with the Parish was regularly
dissolved, May 20, 1805. He was never resettled in the ministry. He died
at Wolfborough, N.H. about the year 1817.

Mr CALEB HAMILTON SHERMAN, the successor of Mr Gray, was a native of
Brimfield, Hampden County, Mass. and graduated at Brown University. He was
ordained at Dover, May 6, 1807; and his pastoral relation dissolved, by
council, May 7, 1812. He left Dover about 1815, and went to Charleston,
S.C.; and from thence into the vicinity of Canandaigua, N.Y. where he died
a few years since.

Rev. JOSEPH WARD CLARY, the next minister , was born at Hartford,
Washington County, N.Y.; graduated at Middlebury College, about 1808;
received his Theological education at Andover, Mass; was ordained pastor
of this Church May 7, 1812; and dismissed by mutual council, August 6,
1828. In the autumn of the same year, Mr Clary, was installed over the
Cong. Chh. in Cornish, N.H. where he still remains.

Rev. HUBBARD WINSLOW, the next minister, is the son of Nathaniel
Winslow, and was born in Williston, Vermont, October 30, 1799; graduated
at Yale College, September 1825; was one year at the Theo. Sem. at
Andover, and two years at the Theolog. Institution connected with Yale
College; was ordained pastor of this church in the old Meeting house,
December 4, 1828; and dismissed by mutual council, Nov. 30, 1831.
Mr. Winslow was installed over the Bowdoin St.
Church in Boston.
Sept. 26,1832, where he still remains.

The present minister, the Rev. DAVID ROOT, is a native of Piermont,
Grafton County, in this state; was graduated at Middlebury College in
1816; received his Theological education principally under the direction
of Dr. N. S.S. Beman, then of Georgia, now of Troy , N.Y. and Dr J. Brown
of S. Carolina; laboured as a missionary for some time in Georgia; in
1820, was ordained as pastor of the second Presbyterian Church in
Cincinnati, Ohio; resigned his pastoral charge in 1832; and was installed
Pastor of this church and society in the on Wednesday, February 6, 1833.
The present number of communicants belonging to
this church is 220.
The first meeting house belonging to this Parish
was erected in 1633; which was some years before any other was built in
this State; it stood a few rods distant, in a northerly direction from the
present dwelling house of Thomas Henderson, Esq. on Dover Neck, on the
west side of the present travelled road; and "was surrounded by an
entrenchment and flankarts," to protect the worshippers from the
Indians, the remains of which are still [March, 1833] visible.
This house was standing in a ruinous state in
1720.
The second house was probably built about the
year 1700, for Mr Sever, who was settled in 1711, and was dismissed in
1715, preached in both houses. This house was sold in pursuance of a vote
of the town, passed Nov. 26, 1759; and was taken down in 1760. It stood on
Pine-hill; on land now enclosed in the Burying-ground, very near its
northern boundary, and a little west of north of the Tomb of the Cushing
family.
The third meeting house was erected in 1758, and
dedicated Dec. 13, 1758, and stood where the present house stands.
February 16, 1829, the Parish voted to sell the old meeting house. The
northern end was taken off, and converted by the purchaser into a dwelling
house, and now stands on the east side of Court Street, near the brook.
The remainder of the house was taken down in April.
The fourth and present meeting house was erected
in 1829; dedicated December 30, 1829, and cost about $12,000.
The Parish was incorporated as a Parish, distinct
from the Town, by an act of the Provincial Assembly, passed June 11th,
1762.

II. SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.

The first mention we find of any Quakers, in Dover, in any History, is
that in 1662, three travelling sisters were whipt out of town by order of
Maj. Waldron. Dr. Belknap remarks in his History of N.H. that the Friends
once comprised a third part of the population of the town. Their numbers now
are quite respectable.

The first "Meeting" of Friends in this town was established at
Dover Neck, as early as 1680, where their first Meeting House was built
prior to the year 1700. It stood about a half a mile north of the one built
by the First Parish 200 years ago, and was taken down about the year 1770,
and the one now occupied by the Society in this village, was erected at
about the same time. Preious to this, however, they had a small house on
Silver Street, which was built prior to 1720; for it appears by their
records, that in December of that year, they "agreed to repair their
house at Cochecho." This house stood where Samuel Watson, jr.ís barn
now stands. The present dwelling house of said Watson was then occupied as
their business house. At that time, they held meetings at Dover Neck as well
as at Cochecho. The first "Monthly Meeting" was set up in 1702,
and their Records extend back to that time. The first "Quarterly
Meeting" was established in 1708.

III. THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, AND SOCIETY.

The above Church was formed A.D. 1824óTheir house was built in
1824-5, and dedicated April 28, 1825. It was enlarged June, 1831, by the
addition 16 Ĺ feet in length. It cost, including the enlargement, about
$4000. The Society was incorporated Jan. 20, 1827. Number of
communicants 360ó

This society was organized March 23, 1825, on which occasion Jonathan
Locke, Esq. was Chariman, and J. H. Curtis, Clerk. Hiram Rollins, N. W. Ela,
Joseph Badger, and John Moore, were also prominent members. This society
have no Meeting House, but worship occasionally in the Court House. Their
number is respectable.

FREE-WILL BAPSTIST CHURCH.

This Church was gathered by Elder Enoch Place of Strafford, September
15,1826. Their house, situated on Chesnut Street, near Brick Street, was built
in 1831-2, and dedicated May 20, 1832; cost $2,500. Number of communicants
130.

Elder Nathíl Thurston is their minister.

THE FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY OF CHRISTIANS IN DOVER, OR
SECOND CONGREGATIONALIST.

The first meeting for forming this Society was holden Aug. 28, 1827; the
Society was organized on the 4th September following. The first
meeting for public worship was holden at the Court House, November 4, of the
same year, when Rev. Henry Ware, jr then Pastor of the New Brick Church,
Hanover Street, Boston, and now Professor of Pulpit Eloquence in Cambridge
Divinity School, officiated. The house was built of brick, 70 by 83 feet, in
the year 1828, situated on Church Street, opposite head of Kirkland Street;
and cost $12,000. It was dedicated, and Rev. Samuel Kirkland Lothrop ordained,
February 17, 1829. The Dedicatory services were performed by Rev. Dr Nichols,
of Portland, and Ordination Sermon by Rev. Dr Parker of Portsmouth. The Church
was gathered the evening previous. Number of communicants 50.

Mr LOTHROP was born in Utica, N.Y. October 13, 1804; was graduated at
Harvard College in 1825; received his Theological education at the Theological
School, at Cambridge, and was approbated for the ministry August, 1828. He is
the present Pastor of the Church and Society.

THE FIRST REGULAR BAPTIST SOCIETY IN DOVER.

This Society was formed in the winter of 1827; the Church was gathered
April 23, 1828. Their house, situated on Franklin Street, corner of Fourth
Street, was built in 1829, and dedicated October 26, of the same year. Rev.
Elijah Foster was installed at the same time, as their Pastor; he continued as
such till December 1830. Rev. Noah Hooper was settled December 15,
1832, and is the present pastor. The house cost $4,000. Number of communicants
57.

ST. ALEYSIUS CHURCH

The first public service of the Catholics in Dover was performed at the
Court House by Rev. Henry Barber, in the winter of 1826-7. The foundation
stone of their Church at the corner of Chesnut and Third Streets, was laid
by Rev. Charles French, May 17, 1828; the house was dedicated September 26,
1830, and cost $2,800. It was commenced with only 24 subscribers. Rev.
Charles French of Portland, ministers here about one third of the year.

NEWSPAPERS. The following is a list of the Newspapers that have been
published in this town, with the dates of the first and last Numbers of each so
far as can be ascertained; with the names of the publishers; --

Political Repository & Strafford Recorder
From July 15, 1790, to Jan 19, 1792, by Eliphalet Ladd.

The following table exhibits at one view the census of Dover, for a number of
years, with the increase between each;

Year

Number of inhabitants

1767

1614

1775

1666

1790

1998

1800

2062

1810

2228

1820

2871

1830

5449

By the above it appears that from 1667 to 1820, a period of 53 years, the
whole increase of the town was only 1057; and that from 1820 to 1830, a period
of only 10 years, it was 2578, (or about 90%) which is more than double of that
for the preceding 53 years. This great increase was principally owing to the
establishment of manufactories, which has also been the means of increasing the wealth
of the town in an equal ratio.

LONGEVITY. There have been many instances of longevity in this town, but
I have collected only such as were of ninety years:--

There is now living in this village, Wid. ABIGAIL BROWN, (in the family of
William Gray, her son-in-law) who was born in Madbury, (then Dover,) March 27,
1731, O.S. and is therefore one hundred and two years of age. She
enjoys pretty good health, and possesses the faculties of seeing, hearing and
memory as well as most persons of 40 years. Her maiden name was Willey.

There is also living in town, about half a mile west of the Factories, Miss
DEBORAH COFFIN, in her 95th year, who also enjoys pretty good health.
She was born near where the Widow Bickford house now stands, on the high bank
near W. & F. Williamsí store, August 31, 1738, O. S. She is a
great-grand-daughter of Lieut, Peter Coffin, a contemporary of old Maj. Waldron,
whose garrison houses were burnt by the Indians and the latter person killed,
June 28, 1689. She has always lived on the land owned by, or inherited from her
ancestors, which has never been out of the Coffin name.

STATISTICAL. There are several Falls in the Cochecho river, the principal
of which are those bearing the name of the river, at the head of boat
navigation, 12 miles from Portsmouth, and 6 from Dover Point. They are 34 feet
high, and afford water power for three large Cotton Factories, several shops and
other machinery connected with the manufacture of cotton cloth, and printing of
calico. Here was erected, in 1821, a Nail Factory, in which 1000 tons of Iron
was rolled, and 700 ton manufactured into nail annually; but the business
becoming unprofitable, was abandoned in 1826, and the building used for other
purposes.

The "Dover Cotton Factory" was incorporated December 15, 1812, with
a capital of $50,000, which was enlarged June 21, 1821, to $500,000; and again
enlarged June 17, 1823, to $1,000,000, and the name was changed to the
"Dover Manufacturing Company"; the capital was again enlarged June 20,
1826 to $1,500,000. The "Cocheco Manufacturing Company" was
incorporated June 27, 1827, with a capital of $1,5000,000, who purchased the
Dover Manufacturing Co. December 1, 1829, all their works and personal property,
and the business of manufacturing was continued without interruption.

They have four cotton factories, three in the village at the Cocheco Falls,
and one on the same stream two miles above, which is styled "No. ONE,"
and was built of wood in 1815, in the form of an L; the main building is 80 by
33 feet, the projection 55 by 30 feet, and is four stories high including the
attic. It is now rented by John Williams, Esq. who repaired the building and
machinery in 1831. It contains 2500 spindles and 100 looms, and employs 100
females and 30 men and boys. They consume 250,000 lbs. of cotton per annum, and
turn out 20,000 yds. Of cotton shirting, No. 14, per week, or one million
yards per year.

There are about 300 inhabitants at this place, the greater part of whom are
employed in the Factory, or shops and boarding houses connected therewith. This
little village has recently received the name of Williamsville, in compliment to
the lessee of the Factory who has devoted many years to the manufacturing
business.

The three large Cotton Factories at the Cocheco Falls in the village or
compact part of the town, are of brick, and were erected and contain as
follows:--

"No. Two,: built in 1822, is 154 by 43 feet, 4 stories high, and
contains 4096 Spindles and 216 Looms.

"No. Three," built in 1823, is of the same dimensions as the above,
5 stories high, and contains 8448 Spindles and 248 Looms.

"No. Four," built in 1825, is 167, by 45 feet on the water or east
side, and 110 by 45 on the street or south side, (forming a right angle,) 6
stories high, and contains 11,776 Spindles and 312 Looms

TOTAL number of Spindles, 24,320; Do. Looms, 776.

"No. FIVE" is used for the Calico business, and was built at the
same time and in connection with No. 4, and is also covered by the same roof. It
is 145 by 45 feet. The whole length of Nos. 4 and 5, including the wing of No.
4, is 422 feet. There are several other large buildings, including a bleachery,
machine shops, &c. which I had not thought advisable, in this little sketch,
to describe.

The principal manufacture is fine cotton cloth, No. 40, for calicoes, which
are bleached and printed on the spot. No. 18, sheeting and No. 30, shirting also
are made. The number of people employed in these three cotton mills, machine
shops and calico printing establishments, is 800 females and 300 men and boys.

These mills consume about 2600 Bales of Cotton, and turn out four and a
half millions yards of cloth annually, or about 15,000 yards daily. The
calico works make into fine Prints and Dyed Goods, (coloured Cambrics) 2500
pieces of 28 yards each, or 70,000 yards per week. The following articles, with
many others not here specified, were used by this establishment in one year:--

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